February 13, 2001 11:28: A music producer is worried he is not getting vital business mail while postmen at Finchley sorting office have been on strike.

Staff at Dollis Park have taken unofficial strike action for five days spread over a three-week period in an ongoing row over their workload.

Self-employed Mike Pela said: "From day to day we don't know if any post is coming and there's always a risk of important post not getting to us on time.

"It can't go on, it's affecting everyone and is a service we all pay for."

The latest strike action took place on Thursday last week as part of protests following a national agreement three months ago. It set work loads which Finchley staff now claim are being broken.

Peter Donaghy, Communication Workers Union representative, said: "Staff are fed up that management aren't following a national agreement over the amount of post they're required to take out.

"Finchley staff are working a new system whereby 95 per cent of post goes out in the first delivery, which means most customers get their post before 9.30am. But the dispute is over the amount they're expected to take out in the second delivery."

It is hoped the dispute will be resolved this week.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We would like to apologise to customers if they've experienced any difficulty with their post."

SARAH MILLS